A commercial vessel has reported an explosion near the Strait of Hormuz after being targeted by what UK authorities described as an “unknown projectile” off the coast of the United Arab Emirates.
According to a Sunday, March 22, warning by the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the incident occurred about 15 nautical miles north of Sharjah.
UKMTO said that the report, which was reported to it on Saturday, involved a bulk carrier navigating near the Gulf’s critical shipping lanes.
No group has claimed responsibility, and the origin of the projectile remains unclear. UKMTO has advised vessels to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity.
“UKMTO has received a report of an incident 15NM north of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. The Master of a Bulk Carrier reported an explosion from an unknown projectile in close proximity to the vessel,” the advisory said.
“All crew are reported safe. Authorities are investigating. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.”
The Kenya Times reached out to UKMTO for comment, but had not received a response by the time of publication.
Trump issues ultimatum on Strait of Hormuz
The incident report comes hours after President Donald Trump threatened to strike Iranian infrastructure if shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is not restored within 48 hours.
“If Iran doesn’t fully open, without threat, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 hours from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various power plants, starting with the biggest one first!” Trump wrote In a post on Truth Social on March 21.
Also Read: Trump Orders Hormuz Strait Opening Within 48 Hours Ahead of Imminent Attack
Iran has been targeting vessels it links to the United States and Israel, disrupting oil and gas shipments through the waterway, which carries roughly a fifth of global supply.
G7 foreign ministers on Saturday said they were ready to act to protect energy flows, adding they “express support to our partners in the region” amid what they described as attacks by Iran and its proxies.
UK submarine deployment as conflict risk grows
Meanwhile, a nuclear-powered Royal Navy submarine, HMS Anson, has reportedly been deployed to the Arabian Sea, according to a report by the Daily Mail.
The submarine is equipped with Tomahawk land-attack missiles and Spearfish torpedoes and is believed to be operating in the northern Arabian Sea after departing Perth on March 6.
The Daily Mail report said the deployment gives the UK the capability to launch strikes on Iran if the conflict escalates further.
It comes after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer approved expanded use of British bases by U.S. forces under a “collective self-defence” framework, moving beyond previously limited defensive operations.
Also Read: Iran Fires Missiles Toward Key US-UK Base in Fresh Escalation After Warning
Separately, Iran has reportedly launched two intermediate-range ballistic missiles toward the joint US-UK military base at Diego Garcia, according to a March 20 report by the Wall Street Journal citing U.S. officials.
The report said neither missile struck the base—one malfunctioned mid-flight, while a U.S. warship attempted to intercept the second.
UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned what she described as “reckless” attacks threatening British interests and personnel, as RAF jets and other assets continued operations in the region.
However, a senior Iranian official later told Al Jazeera that Tehran was not responsible for the attempted strike on Diego Garcia.
The joint base, located about 4,000 kilometres from Iran, remains a key installation supporting U.S. and UK operations in the region.
